The 25th of December is a memorable day in chronicles of history. It is the birthday of the Quaid-e-Azam; the founding father of Pakistan and a great statesman. The nation will celebrate the birthday of “Baba-e-Qaum” in a befitting manner. Rich tributes will be paid to the great leader for liberating the Muslims from the dominance of the Hindus and the subjugation of the British. The entire nation is indebted to the Quaid who fought against the stubborn British and the cunning ‘Banya’ and inflicted a crushing defeat upon them. We must remember that it is because of him that we are in a free independent and sovereign country.

Our beloved Quaid was born in Karachi on December 25, 1867. His father was an affluent business-man. He received his preliminary education in Karachi. After passing Matriculation examination, he proceeded to England where he studied law. He passed Bar-at-law from London and returned to India. He started practicing as a lawyer and soon made his mark as a successful lawyer. He was revered for his honesty, integrity and efficiency.

This was a period when the people of India were struggling to win freedom from the British who were ruling Hindustan against the will of the Indians. Initially Jinnah, who was an advocate of the Hindu Muslim unity, joined The Congress. But the Quaid, who was blessed with piercing intellectual vision, soon realized that the Congress was only working for the rights of the Hindus. Therefore, the Quaid joined the Muslim League to safeguard the rights and interests of the Muslims.

The Quaid took up the command of the Muslim League. Under his able and courageous leadership the Muslim League became the protector and banner holder of the Muslims. In 1940, the Pakistan Resolution was passed in Lahore. His political activities and responsibilities increased manifold. He was leading the Freedom Movement. He had to travel from one part of the country to the other to organize the Muslims of India at this crucial juncture. He was working selflessly for the attainment of Pakistan, so that the Muslims of the sub-continent could have a country which they could call their own. During this epic struggle the Quaid had to face stiff opposition from those who did not wish that the Muslims should have an independent and reverential life. Despite the overwhelming magnitude of this opposition, the Quaid did not for once resort to questionable political tactics. The means he adopted to achieve his aim were lawful and aboveboard. Speaking of Jinnah, Divan Chaman Lal maintains, “He was a loveable and unsophisticated man. And he was not purchasable.”

Quaid-e-Azam worked day in and day out to convince his stubborn adversaries by strictly constitutional methods. He was endowed with exemplary political wisdom, amazing foresight and power of lucid argument. He adhered to his principles and did not adopt any foul, unlawful or underhand means. He believed in reason and logic condemning the emotional approach to politics. He said to the Hindu leaders, “You try to find out what will please the people, and you act accordingly. My way of action is quite different. I first decide what is right and then I do it. The opposition vanishes.” Giving advice to the students at Aligarh University in 1938 the Quaid said, “Think a hundred times before you take a decision, but once a decision is taken, stand by it as a one man.”

Aziz Beg, a renowned journalist and a writer paying tributes to the Quaid in his book “Pakistan faces India” says, ” With the fire and the faith of a Lincoln , the courage and conviction of a Napoleon , the shrewdness and statesmanship of Disraeli , Jinnah rose like a mountain which overshadowed his worst detractors.”

The Quaid’s efforts bore fruit and Pakistan came into being on August 14, 1947. The Muslims got a county of their own where they could live freely as an independent and sovereign nation. The Quaid worked day and night to establish and strengthen this newly born country.

Excess of work adversely affected the Quaid’s health. His doctors advised him to take rest. But he did not pay any heed to their advice and continued to work. His frail and weak body succumbed to over-work and he breathed his last on September 11, 1948.

We must remember that it is because of him that we are proud and respectable inhabitants of an independent country. The best way to show our gratitude to the great leader is to follow his principles of unity, faith and discipline and work for the progress of our country. On this historic day we should make new resolutions and fresh promises to work earnestly and conscientiously for the integrity, prosperity and solidarity of our country. If we follow his footsteps, there is no reason why Pakistan should not be able to attain the stature which our beloved Quaid had visualized.